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  • Man ran onto field mid-match to salute Shadab Khan, FIR registered

    The police on Friday filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Mohammad Waqas Ashraf, a fan who ran into the ground during the second One Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and the West Indies.

    The FIR is registered under Sections 188 and 452 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). According to the police, Waqas tried to escape the scene after meeting Shadab Khan on the pitch. However, it can be clearly seen in video footage from the match that Waqas was caught by the police on the boundary rope immediately. 

    “A man swiftly entered the ground from under the fence near gate number 3, saluted and hugged a cricketer (Shadab Khan) after reaching the batting crease,” says the FIR against Waqas.

    A police official while talking to Geo Super said that the man has been sent for physical custody.

    The man ran onto the field mid-match to salute Shadab Khan. Shadab hugged the man in return.

     Pakistan whitewashed West Indies 3-0 in a three-match ODI series on Sunday.

  • Army denies taking action against officers after Maryam Nawaz’s speech

    Army denies taking action against officers after Maryam Nawaz’s speech

    The Pakistan Army has revoked all the post-retirement benefits, including pensions and free medical coverage, for five retired army officers for their involvement in anti-army campaign.

    One ex-major general’s name is also included in the list. Action against these officials was conducted last month following legal procedures and allowing the ex-servicemen a chance to defend themselves.

    “The GHQ had proceeded against the five retired officers at least two weeks before Maryam spoke on the issue,” said one of the sources while denying the statements of some YouTubers who are connecting the military action against with a recent statement of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

    According to the source, the military expects the government to take action against individuals who defame the military.

    “The social media reports of 150 ex-servicemen facing the action are totally incorrect,” the source added.

  • ‘Let’s not put her life at risk’: Yashma Gill wants netizens to stop trolling Dania Shah

    ‘Let’s not put her life at risk’: Yashma Gill wants netizens to stop trolling Dania Shah

    Actor Yashma Gill took to her Instagram stories to defend late Aamir Liaquat’s third wife Dania Shah. The 18-year-old is facing backlash over her equation with her late husband.

    The Pyar Ke Sadqay diva said that let’s not made Dania the victim of trolling as it can lead to serious recuperations, hinting at the impact on Aamir’s mental health after digital trolling.

    Earlier when it was reported that a female sub-inspector Mary Rose has committed suicide in Rahim Yar Khan allegedly over domestic issues.

    Yashma emphasized on the importance of mental health awareness. She also showed concern about the scarcity of mental health rehabilitation clinics in the country.

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  • House of female Indian Muslim activist demolished for allegedly protesting against BJP

    House of female Indian Muslim activist demolished for allegedly protesting against BJP

    Authorities in India’s Uttar Pradesh demolished the homes of numerous people accused of being involved in protesting against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokespersons who made derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

    One of the houses that was demolished belonged to activist Javed Mohammed. The police accused Mohammed of being ‘one of the main conspirators of violence’ on Friday but others say that his house was bulldozed because he is the father of 22-year-old Muslim activist Afreen Fatima. According to The Quint, “The action against the student activist and her family is being widely criticised as another instance of the ‘bulldozer politics’ being perpetrated in BJP-ruled states.”

    Two protesters were also killed by the Indian police on Friday for protesting.

    The police opened fire on protesters on Friday.

    Read more- ‘World should severely reprimand India’: Muslim countries condemn BJP’s derogatory remarks about Holy Prophet (PBUH)

    “Police were forced to open fire to disperse protesters… resulting in the death of two,” a police officer in Ranchi told AFP.

    A local resident, Shabnam Ara, told AFP that the authorities cut internet connections in the city and imposed a curfew.

    “We are praying for peace and harmony,” she said.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the Indian state’s “apparatus to browbeat Indian Muslims into submission.”

    “The reality of India’s “democratic face” is before the world to see,” he added.

    The derogatory remarks were made by BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal. India’s ruling party suspended Sharma and expelled Jindal. The two also issued public apologies.

  • Here are the latest income tax rates and slabs for salaried class

    Here are the latest income tax rates and slabs for salaried class

    In the budget for fiscal year 2022-23, the government has exempted those earning up to Rs100,000 per month from paying income tax, up from Rs50,000 last year.

    For the salaried income group, the latest budget is a mishmash as the government reduced tax rates and the number of slabs while eliminating available credit through the omission of deductible allowance for profit on debt and tax credit for investment in shares, health insurance, and pension funds.

    Moreover, the government has released a revamped list of income tax brackets for salaried employees. There were previously 12 slabs, which have now been shrunk to seven.

    Here are the new slabs:

    1. For annual incomes less than Rs600,000 (below Rs50,000 per month)
    2. For a yearly income of Rs600,000-Rs1.2 million (Rs50,000 to Rs100,00 per month).
    3. For annual earnings of Rs1.2m-2.4m (Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 per month)
    4. For annual earnings of Rs2.4m-3.6m (Rs200,000 to Rs300,000 per month)
    5. For earnings of Rs3.6m-6m (Rs300,000 to Rs500,000 per month)
    6. For annual earnings of Rs6m-12m (Rs500,000 to Rs10,00,000 per month)

    For annual earnings of more than $12 million (more than $100,000 per month), income tax is not to be levied on people earning between 0 and Rs600,000 per year (where income from salary exceeds 75 per cent of taxable income). A nominal amount of Rs100 will be subtracted per year from those earning between Rs600,000 and Rs1.2 million.

    Employees getting paid more than Rs1.2 million but less than Rs2.4 million per year will be levied 7 per cent of the amount that exceeds Rs1,200,000 in the third slab.

    An employee getting paid Rs1,400,000 per year will be levied 7 per cent of Rs200,000 (Rs1,400,000 minus Rs1,200,000 since that is the amount exceeding Rs1,200,000).

    As per the latest budget resolution, the government recommended an income tax rate of 20 per cent on small business earnings, 42 per cent on banking, and 29 per cent on related companies.

  • There should be no hindrance in Musharraf’s return to Pakistan: Khawaja Asif

    There should be no hindrance in Musharraf’s return to Pakistan: Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet has said that there should be no hindrance in former military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s return, if he wants to come back to Pakistan.

    “In view of his health condition, there should be no hindrance in the return of Pervez Musharraf to the country,” tweeted Khawaja Asif. “Events of the past should not stand [in his way to come back].”

    “May he spend his time with dignity in this phase of life,” added the defence minister.

    Rumours of Musharraf’s death started circulating on social media on Friday. However, his family clarified that Gen Musharraf is not on a ventilator but has been unwell, stating that he is “going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible”.

    On December 17, 2019, a special court found Musharraf guilty of high treason and sentenced him to death under Article 6 of the Constitution in a 2–1 split verdict.

    However, in January 2020, the Lahore High High Court (LHC) overturned the death sentence handed down to Musharraf.

  • Imran Khan responsible for the chaos during PTI’s long March: Islamabad Police

    Imran Khan responsible for the chaos during PTI’s long March: Islamabad Police

    The Islamabad Police, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the interior secretary submitted their report regarding the Supreme Court’s (SC) order violation by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders during the long march. The report submitted on Friday by the Islamabad Police stated that PTI Chairman Imran Khan caused disorder in the federal capital during his party’s “Azadi March”, which took place on May 25.

    The federal police further told the top court on Friday that Khan had directed protesters to enter the Red Zone despite a judicial order to hold the jalsa in H-9 ground. No PTI member went there because in a video message, PTI Chairman Imran Khan instructed his party workers to reach D-Chowk.

    “The PTI Chairman Imran Khan told his workers to reach the D-Chowk in a video message. The police and law enforcers made every effort to stop the protesters but they advanced removing all containers and barriers on the night between May 25 and 26,” the report stated.

    Islamabad Inspector-General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan also attached video evidence and tweets of the PTI leaders with their report.

    The report says that the PTI supporters managed to remove containers and barriers as PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Zartaj Gul, Saifullah Niazi and Imran Ismail kept provoking them.

    Earlier, the SC sought a report from law enforcement within seven days. The top court also directed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and other authorities to submit a report before the court explaining whether the judiciary’s orders were violated on May 25 during the long march.

    On June 1st, SC gave its majority judgment after a petition was filed by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association under Article 184(3) of the Constitution in anticipation of a protest march into Islamabad by the workers of the (PTI) on May 25, the federal government had blocked highways to and roads within the Capital to prevent entry and movement of the protestors.

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial observed that Pakistani citizens have the right to move and assemble anywhere within the country under Articles 15, 16 and 17 of the Constitution of Pakistan. He also warned the government against any illegal arrests and raids.

    However, during the hearing, Attorney-General (AG) Ashtar Ausaf Ali claimed that the PTI workers and supporters moved forward to D-Chowk after their leader [Imran Khan] asked them to.

    In its majority judgment, the top court stated: “It is apparent that the assurances conveyed to the court by the learned counsel for the top leadership of the PTI may have been dishonoured by the workers/supporters/sympathisers of the party by proceeding to the D-Chowk in the Red Zone area and by allegedly committing acts of arson and destruction of public and private properties on the way. However, we note that in the early morning today Mr Imran Khan reached Jinnah Avenue leading to D-Chowk and announced the postponement of his sit-in at Islamabad for six days. As a result, further damage to property or injury to human life has been averted.”

    The judgment also added, “there is no evidence or allegation that such acts were committed on the instigation of any party or happened randomly.”

    “At its most elementary level, the PTI leader appears to have assured the holding of a political rally at the G-9/H-9 ground and therefore not to assemble and sit in another venue including at D-Chowk in G-5 Islamabad.”

    ’ Not withstanding the said request by the AGP, we exercise restraint for the time being for several reasons’: SC

    The court also said it was “disappointed” to note that riots took place in the federal capital despite its order to create a balance between both sides, PTI and the government.

    The court further added that peaceful protest is a constitutional right but PTI could have done it with the permission of the state. As long as sanctions under Articles 15 and 16 are inevitable, the right to protest cannot be restrained without legal, reasonable grounds.

    However, Justice Yahya Afridi wrote a dissenting note. He quoted Khan’s statement after the court order: “Wherever Pakistanis are, there is good news: the Supreme Court has issued an order that there will be no hurdles and no one will be arrested. This is why I want all Pakistanis to come out of their homes today evening; people in Islamabad and Rawalpindi should try their best to reach D-Chowk because I will reach there within one-and-a-half-hour.”

    Justice Afridi said that there is sufficient material before the court to proceed against Khan “for the alleged disobedience of the court order which warrants the issuance of notice by this court to Mr Imran Khan to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.”

  • ‘Why would I harm my family business’?: PM Shehbaz, CM Hamza get pre-arrest bails

    A special court in Lahore granted pre-arrest bails to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz in a Rs16 billion money laundering case registered against them by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    The court asked both PM Shehbaz and CM Hamza to pay Rs1 million in surety bonds, each within seven days.

    Both the PM and his son CM Hamza appeared before the court on Saturday.

    During the hearing, the court asked Shehbaz if he has no ownership of Ashiana Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills, to which the PM replied, “I have no stake in either.”

    PM Shehbaz asked: “Why would I engage in corruption and money laundering and harm the family business?”

    He said the Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) was provided with all the facts verbally. “I faced countless hearings and trials. The FIA was admonished for not presenting a challan. I believe the FIA was preparing for an arrest, hence the challan was delayed,” he added.

    “The entire case is built on lies and will be buried,” PM Shehbaz further said during the hearing.

    PM Shehbaz’s attorney Amjad Pervez stated that the fact that both of them [Shehbaz and Hamza] had previously been interrogated in jail by the FIA was sufficient proof for their bail.

    He said, “The case has been ongoing for more than a year and now we discover that the suspects were not made part of the inquiry.”

    Last year, the FIA submitted a challan against Shehbaz and Hamza to the special court for their alleged involvement in a money laundering case.

    The report said that the amount was kept in “hidden accounts” and “given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity”.

  • #BelievingIsMagic: FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola Touches Down in Lahore on June 7

    #BelievingIsMagic: FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola Touches Down in Lahore on June 7

    As part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour™ by Coca-Cola, the official FIFA World Cup™ trophy touched down in Lahore accompanied by a delegation that included notable FIFA personnel as well as former FIFA World Cup™ winner and legendary footballer, Christian Karembeu. The initiative under the hashtag #BelievingIsMagic is aimed at promoting inclusivity and visibility of all FIFA partner nations ahead of the final games in Qatar.

    Hajra Khan, Captain of Pakistan Women’s National Football Team, awaited alongside a panel of senior Coca-Cola leadership for the FIFA delegation to touch down at the airfield. After receiving a warm welcome to the country, the delegation was escorted to the trophy’s arrival event in Lahore, hosted by Hajra Khan and attended by several of Pakistan’s leading sportspersons, celebrities, dignitaries, ministers of state, and digital media opinion leaders in attendance.

    The people of Pakistan have always enjoyed a rich sports culture, as well as a storied athletic history. The country is responsible for producing over 40 million footballs a year, and the manufacturing of sporting goods contributes significantly to Pakistan’s economy. A documentary highlighting football in Pakistan was screened during the event to shine a light on the country’s contributions to football.

    Ahmad Hanif Orakzai, Vice President, Pakistan Sports Board, was the chief guest for the trophy arrival event. He spoke about the government’s ongoing and upcoming efforts to bring football to the mainstream. The Vice President went on to speak about transforming Pakistan into a country that celebrates and facilitates sports at all levels. He extended his heartfelt thanks to the FIFA delegation and presented them with a locally made football as a token of the country’s appreciation.

    “The reason for our strong focus on sports infrastructure is because we know the best formula for our future is to empower the youth of Pakistan. Thanks to Coca-Cola, we now have a strong partner in turning this dream into a reality,” he said.

    During the course of the event, Pakistan’s leading youth athletes were brought to attention and appreciated for their contributions to the country.

    Former FIFA World Cup™ winner and legendary footballer, Christian Karembeu, was the star of the show in more ways than one. He stood next to the trophy, providing Pakistani fans an opportunity to see a legend of the game next to football’s most coveted prize. He expressed his gratitude at being given this amazing opportunity to be part of an initiative that aimed to inspire Pakistan’s youth.

    “I am honestly amazed to see the enthusiasm of Pakistani football fans. It has been amazing to hear these stories from young footballers from all these diverse communities, and I love the fact that they all have positive outlooks on their respective journeys. The future of Pakistani sports is definitely bright,” said the legendary footballer.

    “Sports brings communities and nations together and at Coca-Cola, we are delighted to champion this spirit of unity,” said Fahad Ashraf, Vice President, Coca-Cola Pakistan and Afghanistan Region, in his address to those gathered.

    As the sun set on the day’s proceedings, attendees enjoyed musical performances in an event hosted by the renowned Anoushey Ashraf and Dino Ali. The concert was headlined by big-name performers like Talal Qureshi, Shae Gill, Hasan Raheem, and Abdullah Siddiqui.

    Christian Karembeu was once again in the limelight at the grand finale as he unveiled the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy in spectacular fashion. And that’s how the night ended; the crowd cheering wildly for the trophy and the legendary footballer holding it, against a backdrop of colourful confetti and flashes of cold fire.

    Pakistan is one of the 51 countries where this year’s tour is taking place, bringing Coca-Cola and FIFA one step closer to visiting all 211 Football Nations by 2030. #BelievingInMagic

    This is a sponsored article.